Research has identified a promising new therapeutic target for aggressive breast cancer. The tests are early and have only been done on mice. Western University scientists, led by Lynne-Marie Postovit of Western's Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry say the study shows tremendous promise in the mouse models.
Postovit discovered high levels of a protein called Nodal in aggressive breast cancer tumors. It encourages vascularization in tumors, providing nutrients and oxygen to help them grow and spread throughout the body.
"In addition, we have shown that if we can target this embryonic protein, we can cause the blood vessels to collapse within the tumor, leading to decreased oxygen levels and tumor cell death. When tumors lack oxygen and nutrients they become what we call necrotic," she said.
The study was reported in the online journal Cancer Research.
More information and a background video featuring Dr. Postovit can be found here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9VbzhQQcVo
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